Sunderland have confirmed the signing of the Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He in the first signing by Steve Bruce in the transfer window

The Sunderland manager said: "Matthew is a very talented defender and has been coveted by a number of top-flight clubs recently, so I'm very pleased to have brought him here. He will add to our options across the back ahead of some very important games. I'm sure he'll prove to be a great signing for the club."

The player will be unavailable for Saturday's trip to Portsmouth in the fourth round of the FA Cup as he has already appeared in the competition for Sheffield United this season.

Kilgallon came through Leeds's youth system and made 95 appearances for the Elland Road club – in addition to a further four during a brief loan spell at West Ham United – prior to a £2m move to Bramall Lane in January 2007.